Queen Elizabeth’s childhood toys are set to head to auction.
The selection of dolls played with by the 91-year-old monarch and her sister Princess Margaret will go under the hammer alongside a selection of Her Majesty’s childhood clothes when the family of Clara Knight – who was formerly the nurse to the two royals when they were younger – takes them to auction at Burstow & Hewett Auction House.
Clara, who passed away in 1946, was given the items in the 1920s and 30s when she worked for the royal family, and gave them to her own family when she passed.
But now, the family have decided to auction the items off, after they were sat in boxes for years in their family home.
The items in the collection include two Mickey and Minnie Mouse dolls made by the traditional British toy maker Dean’s Rag Book Company, as well as a felt doll which is believed to have come from the 1930s.
Also included in the auction will be a variety of baby clothes worn by the Queen, including silk dresses and colourful playsuits, one of which is featured in an accompanying photograph of the future monarch sat on Clara’s lap.
The clothing is expected to sell for £1,500, while the dolls are each valued at £300.
Matt Ellin, specialist at Burstow & Hewett, of Battle, East Sussex, said: "The collection came to us in amongst many other household items from an ordinary local house. The owners thought the collection was interesting but were very unassuming about the content.
"Clara lived and worked extremely closely with the royal family and was given these clothes and dolls from time to time which she would then send to her family. It appears she came to the royal family in 1926 when Elizabeth was born and spent many years looking after both the Queen and Princess Margaret.
"It’s a historic collection and we are expecting worldwide interest."
Queen Elizabeth’s toys to be auctioned off
